Policing with human touch needed to bridge trust deficit: VP

HYDERABAD, Feb 28: Stating that there was a serious trust deficit between the public and the police in the country, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today stressed on the need for policing with a human touch.

Addressing Indian Police Service probationers of 70 RR (Regular Recruit -2017 Batch) at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy here, Naidu said, “There is a serious trust deficit between the public and the police in our country. Police are seen as the last option by the people. The general saying is that one is lucky if one is not required to visit a police station. Instead, police should emerge as the first option to go to in case of any problem.”

He asked the young officers to create such a situation and said it was possible if policing was done with a human touch.

“The way the constabulary and officials deal with the public needs to imporve vastly. An element of civility in your interaction with the general public infuses comfort and confidence among them. That is the way police can emerge as the preferred and first choice of those who come to you for the redressal of their grievances,” an official release quoted Naidu.

The Vice President further said that policing should have no political interference.

“Police officers should maintain a safe distance from politicians and be seen more with the people. People should not go to a politician before they decide to come to the police station,” he said.

He said that participation of ordinary people would increase grassroot intelligence and added that the police’s role was vital in effectively dealing with communal conflicts.

He added that good policing was important for a vibrant democracy, adding that it also quickened the pace of development.

“The biggest threat our country faces is terrorism – be it in J&K, North-East or Naxalisam. Police forces have been at the center of India’s response to counter this multi-headed monster. While the state response should be strong and appropriate, experience shows that there are numerous challenges,” he said.

“While there cannot be any compromise on security, we have to ensure freedom to the people at same time. The time has come when use of force by the police has to be circumscribed by the ideals of the rule of law, whatever be the provocation,’ he added.

He said that nudging people on the fringes of criminality to become law-abiding citizens and taking exemplary action against habitual offenders should be the order of the day.

The Vice-President further said crimes against women and children were a great cause for concern and stressed on the need to address these crimes with a heavy hand but with utmost sensitivity towards the victims.

“Problems related to the atrocities on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other vulnerable sections of society need to be dealt with sternly,” he said.

Naidu also called upon the police force to train itself to develop the competence in handling cyber crimes intelligently. (PTI)